This chapter explains how five governors ruled British Guiana between 1900 and 1920, and how the responses of these proconsuls to the colony's complex set of challenges influenced Guyana's economic, ...
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This chapter explains how five governors ruled British Guiana between 1900 and 1920, and how the responses of these proconsuls to the colony's complex set of challenges influenced Guyana's economic, political, social, and cultural life—including its musical life—for the majority of the twentieth century. These challenges had international and domestic dimensions. On the international level, the governors had to respond to the demands of Britain's policy of new imperialism. On the domestic front, the governors faced demands of opening up the hinterland as a strategy for diversifying the economy. The chapter also shows how the colony's urban soundtrack during this period involved multiple styles and several musical communities. However, despite this diversity, the governance practices of the colony state ensured that these musical aesthetics reflected the ideology of the ruling class and its allies.Less

New Imperialism and Domestic Agitations

Vibert C. Cambridge

Published in print: 2015-06-01

This chapter explains how five governors ruled British Guiana between 1900 and 1920, and how the responses of these proconsuls to the colony's complex set of challenges influenced Guyana's economic, political, social, and cultural life—including its musical life—for the majority of the twentieth century. These challenges had international and domestic dimensions. On the international level, the governors had to respond to the demands of Britain's policy of new imperialism. On the domestic front, the governors faced demands of opening up the hinterland as a strategy for diversifying the economy. The chapter also shows how the colony's urban soundtrack during this period involved multiple styles and several musical communities. However, despite this diversity, the governance practices of the colony state ensured that these musical aesthetics reflected the ideology of the ruling class and its allies.